David J. Porter 50th

Rose and Thistle Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No. 158

A Celebration of The 50th Anniversary in Mark Masonry of W.Bro. David J. Porter P.Prov.G.J.O.

Thursday 16th February 2023

We have all looked forward to this evenings very special meeting, set off early as usual, now I know you will find this hard to believe but I got up the on ramp quite easily, the traffic lights weren’t even switched on, I crept out on to the M60 and that was it yet again, I could see the traffic stretching ahead over the high level bridge all at a stand still, it was only 25 minutes later when I arrived at the M62. (a journey of about 6 minutes) Ah well not to worry now this road looks pretty clear, yes it was, all moving at the 50 mile an hour speed limit, get stuck in the centre lane and it’s like driving over corrugated iron, you know what I think of these so called Smart Motorways.

Let’s get on to the actual meeting, just wait for later when I tell you about the nightmare journey home!! The sat nav took me right to the door of the hall, parked against the side wall, I thought brilliant, only the second car there and great for a flying start to get back to Manchester. The outside of the Building is very shall we say low key but once inside I think it is excellent and a shining example of a first class Masonic Hall, I have been delighted on the few times I have attended meetings there and always feel very welcome. Members and guests soon began arriving, the Lodge room was set up in fine style and our PGM along with his Asst PGM both with a big smile said they were really looking forward to this special meeting and spent time as always chatting with everyone, this is of course the friendly Degree and they both certainly epitomise what the Magic is all about.

The meeting opened on time at 6.30, there were quite a few items on the summons to be dealt with including the election of officers for the ensuing year, once those items had been dealt with, our PGM R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore, his Asst PGM W. Bro. Giles F Berkley PGJD entered the Lodge accompanied by several Grand and Prov Grand Officers. The WMM W.Bro. John E Champney Prov.G.I.G. (Ches) offered the gavel to Keith which he said he would on this special occasion accept for a short time.

He asked the D.C. if he would place W.Bro. Porter in the Chair of Adoniram, he then took up a position in the West at a suitably placed lecturn, from where he then read out some wonderful and interesting items and facts about W. Bro. Porters life and times. He next asked for the Grand Lodge Certificate of recognition as a Master Mark Mason for the past 50 years to be read out, this was followed by the reading of the Provincial Certificate for that same 50 years. The PGM had much pleasure in presenting the Certificates to David who as we all saw had the glimmer of a tear in his eye, what he didn’t know is that there was more to come, Keith was very happy not only to present a 50 years Mark Lapel Pin, now you won’t see many of those about and what came next was something you will be very, very, lucky to see, Keith the most genuine PGM I have ever come across was pleased to give David a Field Promotion to the high office of P.ProvGJW.
Long and sustained Loud acclaim followed by everyone, we had all witnessed something really special and I personnaly felt really priveliged to be present.

Once the WMM was back in his chair he immediately thanked Keith for the astounding way he had presented the 50 years presentation for David who had now reached the lofty heights of a P.Prov.JGW. A collection was then taken for the Mark Charity, at which point the PGM mentioned that £50,000 had been donated by our Mark Charity to purchase Shelter Boxes which contain a tent a survival items for the beleagered peoples of Turkey and Syria, these filled up an RAF Hercules and have already been despatched.
“The Caring Magic of the Mark”

The PGM then retired from the meeting and once the lodge was closed in due form everyone returned for the usual photo session, before making their way downstairs to the dining room, to get some liquid refreshment and taking up their alloted seats for the Festive Board. A first class meal was served up by the very friendly, attentative and proffesional Hall Staff. The usual Toasts and Responses followed, including a special one from the Celebrate W.Bro. David J. Porter now of course a P.Prov.GJW.

All in all what a wonderful evening, in a warm, friendly and happy atmosphere, lovely people to meet and chat to, sometimes on a dark, dull grey day you may think can I do this, can I make the effort but I can honestly say I always find it well worthwhile and you will too. My special thanks go to W.Bro. Derek Todd the Lodge Secretary for booking me in and all the hard work he must have put into the evening.

Now then let’s mention the Trip Home!! I set off at 10 minutes past 10, soon be home 35/40 minutes, got to the mouth of the motorway completely Blocked Off Ahhhhh. Now not being local to the area I didn’t have a clue, what does the Sav Nav do, it just keeps trying to send you back to the motorway, after half an hour of driving around guess what, I drove past the Hall again!! No it wasn’t funny. I spotted a sign for Leyland, I thought oh we used to go there a lot, off I set got to Leyland, arrived but not the area where the hall used to be, again not a clue, everything was in darkness, I pulled into a very dark car park to try and make some sense of where I was, it certainly wasn’t any part of Leyland I knew. I pressed the phone button to my wife to tell her what was happening but of course she couldn’t help, she suggested to phone the RAC, I did say I’ve not broken down I’m lost. I tried my phone mapping still couldn’t make any sense of it I had visions of getting the blanket out and having a sleep in the car till morning. (honestly)

Anyway, no I set off again and eventually spotted a big blue road sign which had a huge branch across it, and suddenly there was truck after truck thundering past me, I crept forward to read the sign, it said right turn M61, M6, M65, well I knew the M6 was shut but shall I take the gamble for the M61, the junction itself was like a bombsite but as several wagons turned right I thought I’ll give it a go. After a few miles suddenly I could see just one lane was open ahead with miles of stopped traffic, my heart sank, luckily before too long as I approached the standing traffic a turn off came up, M61, hallalua, I turned away from the the miles of traffic ahead, came to a roundabout, down the slip road at last got on my way home down the M61, before to long I past Botany Bay then the bus stop on the bridge, under the tunnel and a lovely site the M60, arrived home at 10 minutes past midnight.. My wife and cat were delighted to see me as I was them, still sat down with a dram of Laphroaig, glanced in the mirror to find my hair had turned white, then I remembered it was white before I left, ordered a large scale map of Lancashire on the net so hopefully I’ll know where I am in future. (Some hope)

Thanks to Rose and Thistle Mark Lodge for a brilliant night and hopes that you will go from strength to strength.

Here’s looking forward to my next Mark / Royal Ark Mariner Meeting to see old friends and those I have yet to meet. Remember in the “Magic of the Mark” your only a stranger once, Mark Well.

A Date for your Diary.
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Meeting, at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool on Thursday 27th April 2023, 1pm.

Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher, PGJD Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge No.1173